Many of us may know someone who broke a bone, or you may have had a broken bone yourself. This can happen after a high-impact accident or injury. But did you know that fragile bones can break from low-impact accidents? Sometimes, something as simple as tripping or a relatively minor fall can cause weakened bones to fracture.

When weakened bones suffer a break, they are considered fragility fractures. They typically occur in women who have gone through menopause and men who are 50 years old or older. These types of fractures commonly occur in the spine, hip, wrist, and pelvis. Many can lead to further complications.

Why fragility fractures need extra attention

Fragility fractures are often perceived as just an unfortunate accident. But they are more than that. They are a sign that your bones may be weak and brittle and can be easily broken. These types of fractures are often due to osteoporosis. 

Taking care of the broken bone is just the beginning of the care needed after a fragility fracture. Those who have this type of fracture need to be evaluated for osteoporosis and treated appropriately to reduce the risk of future fractures.

Caring for those with fragility fractures

It is globally recognized that many people who sustain a fragility fracture often do not get properly worked up or treated for the underlying cause of the fracture. The good news is that orthopedic specialists have now expanded their care beyond just fixing the fracture. They have started to focus on post-fracture care and prevention. With a proper diagnosis and the right treatment, you may be able to prevent future fractures.

Preventing future fractures

One of the primary goals after a fracture is to prevent future fractures. Medication is often a large part of any treatment plan. Your care team works with you to find the right medicine for you. Certain lifestyle changes can also help.  

Along with medication and lifestyle changes, one of the biggest steps you can take to reduce your risk of another fracture is preventing falls. Falls are the number one cause of fragility fractures.

How to prevent falls

The following steps can help prevent falls and possibly avoid a broken bone.

• Remove things from your home that you can trip over. For example:
  • Clear walkways.
  • Remove throw rugs.
• Place items at a height you can easily reach so you don’t need to use a stool.
• Reduce the risk of falling in your bathroom. For example:
  • Place grab bars in the bathroom tub and shower.
  • Place a grab bar near the toilet. 
  • Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower.
• Use lights and nightlights in dimly lit areas.
• Put handrails on stairways both inside and outside your home.
• Wear your glasses if you use them.
• Keep your prescriptions up to date.
• Avoid walking your pets on uneven, high-risk terrain.

Follow up with your healthcare provider

It is important to have regularly scheduled care to help ensure you are maintaining bone health. Talk with your healthcare provider about how often you should have your bones checked. If you take certain medicines to treat osteoporosis, you may need to adjust the medicines over time. Be sure to keep all your appointments so your care team can check your progress.